Internal-combustion engine



Jan. '1, 1929.

H. J. KLINE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed June 11', 1926 amnion M w K F f. 1 1m llni W n H 6 r isflw lllll I l- FuI ll Patented Jan. 1, 1929.

warren stares I earn ,rnrsN'r oFFrcE,

HABMON J. KLINE, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO PACKARD"MOTOR-CAR GOM- PANY, or nnrnorr, nronrenn,

A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTEON ENGINE.

Application filed June 11, 1926. Serial No. 115,311.

This invention relates to internal combustion engine cooling systems of the evaporative type.

In such systems, as is well known in the art, the cooling medium evaporates from the engine jacket, and is then condensed and returned thereto by suitable means. When anti-freeze solutions are employed for cooling, such as the common alcohol and water solution, a fractional distillation takes place which results in transferring the greater part of the alcohol to the condenser, and when the engine is left idle in cold weather, the water remaining in the cooling jacket may freeze and cause serious damage to the cylinder block.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a cooling system wherein all danger of damage to the engine from freezing is elfectuallyprevented.

Another object is to provide novel means in a system of this type whereby the liquid in the cooling jacket is automatically permitted to drain from the latter when the engine is stopped, and to mix freely with the anti-freezing liquid.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate diagrammatically two forms which the invention may assume, but it is to be expressly understood that these drawings are for purposes of illustration only,'and that reference is to be had to the appended claim for a definition of the limits of the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 indicates the cylinder block of any internal combustion engine, having a suitable cooling jacket 2 which is suitably connected as by means of a dis charge pipe 3, with a condenser i. The pipe 3 is preferably provided with an inverted U-shaped portion 5 extending above the highest point of the cooling jacket 2, which prevents flow of cooling medium in liquid form from the cooling jacket to the condenser. The products of evaporation from the cooling jacket, however, are discharged through the pipe 3 and the U-shaped portion 5 into the condenser 4, which may be of any suitable type, and after condensation collect in the condensate tank 6 here shown as forming the lower part of the condenser 4.

Suitable means are provided for returning the condensed cooling medium to the cooling jacket, which as here shown, include a return conduit 7 connected to a pump 8 of any suitable type, which feeds the cooling medium through a conduit 9 into the discharge conduit 3 at a point preferably adjacent the cooling jacket. Conduit 9 is preferably provided with a check valve 10 to prevent any reverse circulation.

As a result of the operation of the system thus far described, the fractional distillation of the anti-freeze mixture, such as alcohol, results in the collection of the alcohol in the condenser leaving the water in the cooling jacket, and if the engine is allowed to stand idle in cold weather under these conditions the water remaining in the jacket is apt to freeze and damage the cylinder block. Suitable means are therefore provided whereby the alcohol in the condenser and the water in the jacket are permitted to mix when the engine is idle. To this end the jacket 2 is here shown connected with the conduit 7 by means of a suitable drain pipe 11, which is attached to the cooling jacket adjacent its lower portion through a comparatively small port 12 in the wall of said cooling jacket. When the engine is in operation, there is a slow leak through port 12, but the amount of cooling liquid thus escaping is small and is returned to the cooling jacket by means of the pump 8. When the engine stops and the pump no longer operates the leakage through the port 12 permits the water in the jacket to drain down and mix with the alcohol and thus form a non-freezing solution.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2 the drain pipe 11 is provided with a suitable valve which is adapted to be opened when the engine is stopped. As here shown, a small valve 13 of any suitable type is connected in the pipe 11, preferably adjacent the cooling jacket, which valve is operated by means of a lever 14 operatively connected with the ignition switch 15 of the engine. When the ignition switch is closed, the valve 13 is closed, so that there is no leakage from the cooling jacket while the engine is in operation, but whenthe ignition switch is opened, the valve 13 is automatically opened sothat the liquid in the cooling jacket drains into the condenser and mixes with the anti-freezing liquid.

While two embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but is capable of a variety of expressions, and that changes may be made in the arrangement and details of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference is therefore to be had to the appended claim for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

In an automobile engine cooling system, a cooling jacket, a condenser, means for circulating cooling medium between said elements, a drain connecting said jacket with said condenser, a valve for said drain, and means operatively connecting said valve with the ignition switch of said automobile, whereby the valve is opened when the switch is opened.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

HARMON J. KLINE. 

